Over 350 graduates, including some from the pioneer batch of 1983, at the event in Bangi.
THE Alumni Graduate of Institution of Korea (Agiko) organised a dinner to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the “Look East Policy”, which was the brainchild of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Over 350 graduates – including some from the pioneer batch of 1983 – from all over the country attended the event held in Bangi, Selangor.
Agiko president Zambri Abbas said that since its establishment, the group had been offering opportunities for its members to connect with industries and build careers, besides organising fellowship events.
It has also supported the government’s effort in promoting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes by initiating internships for polytechnic students to undergo industrial training at South Korean companies in Malaysia.
“One of the main objectives for the setting up of Agiko is to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the Look East Policy.
“Agiko has also initiated an internship programme in collaboration with the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, which gives graduates from polytechnics as well as technical and vocational colleges the opportunity to undergo industrial training with Korean companies in both Malaysia and South Korea,” said Zambri.
Upon completing their internship, graduates would also be able to speak the Korean language and learn industry best practices, he said.
Also present at the event were Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil and South Korean ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung-bae.
Zambri said 3,371 Malaysian students had completed their studies in the republic since 1983.
“Many now hold senior positions in public and private sectors or are successful entrepreneurs as a result of the Look East Policy.”
Agiko, he said, was established in 2003 in Negri Sembilan, where many graduates worked at factories.
Yeo, in his speech, commended Agiko for organising the event and expressed hope that it would continue to play an effective role to bridge Malaysia-South Korean ties and help strengthen bilateral relations.
Trade between both countries has also continued to expand, reaching an all-time high of US$26.7bil (RM121bil) last year, which was an increase of 30% compared with the year before.
There are some 400 South Korean companies operating in fields such as the manufacturing of semiconductors, electric, electronic and petrochemical products.
Earlier batches of students to South Korea enrolled in mechanical, civil and electrical engineering at top universities such as Hanyang University, Seoul National University and Yonsei University.
They also pursued courses at other higher education institutions such as Korea University, Inha University and Sungkyung Kwan University.
